"March - Month of Internet" has been invited by the City of Stockholm in Sweden to participate in the world s only global contest of its kind for projects that show how information technology can be used to improve living conditions for people and strengthen communities.

"March - Month of Internet" is an extensive umbrella project for rising public awareness of the possibilities of the Internet as modern key factor of development of democracy, civic society and public services. The project has the aim to encourage use of the Internet as a tool for business, education and entertainment on a national level. It covers about 15 projects each year, and co-operates with the main Czech media it creates the unique media channel to each citizen in the Czech Republic. The projects involved has different target groups; here are information for the general public, business people, children and special interest groups.

"March - Month of Internet" (BMI) is competing in the Public Services and Democracy category and is now amongst many pioneering projects in the Challenge, which stand a chance to win one of seven categories. "March - Month of Internet" will be invited to Stockholm in June. The Stockholm Challenge final events in Stockholm include showcasing the project on The Best Practice Exhibition, participate in the Stockholm Challenge Conference and in the Challenge campus activities and to attend the prize-giving ceremony. The prize-giving ceremony takes place on June 5, in the Stockholm City Hall, where the Nobel Prize dinner is traditionally taking place. The winners in each category will be announced during the ceremony.

During this period, TIME.STOCKHOLM will also take place in Stockholm. From May 24 to June 7 Stockholm will offer visitors a wide range of activities, including international conferences, seminars, exhibitions and festivities.

Last years winner's celebration filled the City Hall with over thousand people from all over the world. His Majesty the King of Sweden handed out the Challenge trophies to winners from every continent. The event attracted much international media attention.

It is still possible for projects to sign in for the 2000 competition. The closing date for entries is March 19. The Stockholm Challenge Award is yearly and the opening date for next years Challenge is June 6, 2000.

All participating projects are showcased on the Challenge web site at www.challenge.stockholm.se. The site is a newsletter in itself, where stories about the participating projects are released regularly. The Challenge team is readily assisting in initiating contacts and partnerships between participants if they so wish.

The entry form is accessible through the Challenge site and entries to the competition are made on-line, or via fax. All information about the event, criteria for entering the Challenge, jury procedures, categories and contacts, can be found on the Challenge site.

The Stockholm Challenge Award is not only a competition. It is a way of building networks between struggling entrepreneurs and pioneers, who will benefit from contacts across borders, cultures and economies. The whole Challenge process, from the moment the projects have entered until the final prize ceremony, is a great opportunity for bonding and learning. It also gives many fine information technology projects international recognition and a promise of future support.

For more information about the project, please contact:

Irina Zalisova
BMI Association
Email: bmi@brezen.cz
Telephone: +420224214945

For more information about The Stockholm Challenge Award, please contact:

Maria Hinas
Information Officer/Co-ordinator
The City of Stockholm Economic Development Agency
Tel: +46-8-508 28 068
Mobile: +46-8-70 47 28 068
e-mail: maria.hinas@challenge.stockholm.se

For more information about TIME.STOCKHOLM, please contact: